Rechargeable flashlight assembly



July 9, 1963 c. w. MILLER RECHARGEABLE FLASHLIGHT ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 20. 1960 m .l m n I E u n 1 i Mi e km .W V" 8 m m n, a M m m m m. w 0

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His Aflorney July 9, 1963' I c. w. MlLLER 3,096,941

RECHARGEABLE FLASHLIGHT ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 20. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 sor l4h Fig. 7b

INVENTOR. Ch ar/es William Miller His Afforney July 9, 1963 c. w. MILLER RECHARGEABLE FLASHLIGHT ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 20. 1960 4 SheeiS-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Char/es Mlliam Miller His A florney July 9, 1963 c. w. MILLER RECHARGEABLE FLASHLIGHT ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 20. 1960 I'NVENTOR. Char/es M'l/hm Mil/er Hi3 Aflomey 3,096,941 RECHARGEABLE FLASHLIGHT ASSEMBLY Charles William Miller, Anderson, Ind., assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Filed .Ian. 20, 196i], Ser. No. 3,603 1 Claim. (El. Mil-6.4)

This invention relates to vehicle flashlights, and particularly, to a rechargeable flashlight assembly for use in vehicles having a source of power available therewith.

An object of this invention is to provide a rechargeable flashlight assembly adapted to be portable :as well as mountable relative to vehicle components such as a storage compartment for gloves, luggage and the like, a steering column, dashboard and the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a rechargeable flashlight assembly including a lamp bulb and lens carried by a housing for rechargeable battery means having :a durable electrolyte therein such as nickel-cadmium material and the like and having battery-linked electrical connector means carried by the housing, adapted to be fitted relative to complementary plug means for energization by a source of power on a movable vehicle on which the flashlight assembly is adapted to be kept always ready for use.

Another object of this invention is to provide in combination a rechargeable flashlight assembly and mounting receptacle therefor on a motor vehicle in a location such as on a steering post, inside a dash board storage compartment, as well as at some other easily accessible point and the like where the rechargeable flashlight assembly is readily available for instant automotive use and optionally has provided therewith :a mounting base portion such as a built-in permanent magnet means adapted for holding the flashlight assembly in a predetermined position to a surface of any magentic mounting material.

A further object of this invention is to provide in combination a rechargeable flashlight means in an assembly including a lamp bulb and lens portion on a housing for dunable battery means normally available to energize the lamp bulb and stored ready for use by connection in a circuit through mating receptacle parts on the housing and vehicle adjacent to a steering post for example with common grounding of the durable battery means and vehicle source such as :a main battery and with an impedance means such as a resistor and the like for limitation of charging curent in between the source and durable battery means at a location adjacent to rnating electrical connector receptacle parts such as a pair of vehiclemounted connectors for holding complementary housingmounted connectors through which recharging connection in the circuit is established.

Another object of this invention is to provide in com bination a rechargeable flashlight means in an assembly including a lamp bulb and lens portion of a housing for durable battery means normally available to energize the lamp bulb and stored ready for use by connection in a circuit through mating receptacle parts on the housing and vehicle in a storage compartment location such as in a luggage space as well as in a dash board glove compartment and the like having a terminal-type connector means for holding and establishing electrical engagement relative to ground and a vehicle source in series with an impedance such as a resistor for avoiding excess charging of the durable battery means.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the folowing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

United States Patent FIGURE 1 shows a partially-sectioned plan view of a vehicle steering post and rechargeable flashlight assembly provided in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE la is a fragmentary-sectioned view of a modification of the structure in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectioned elevational view taken along line 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 2a is a fragmentary, cross-sectioned elevational view taken along line AA in FIGURE 1a.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic, electrical circuit connection diagram and bottom view of receptacle means for use in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 4 is a partially-sectioned plan view of another rechargeable flashlight assembly in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectioned elevational view taken along line 55 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view of the vehicle storage compartment and rechargeable flashlight assembly taken along line 66 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6a is a front view of a receptacle means shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 61) is a sectioned side View taken along line B-B in FIGURE 6a.

FIGURE 60 is a rear view of the receptacle means of FIGURES 6 and 6a.

FIGURE 7 is a top view of a flashlight means of FIG- URE 1a.

FIGURE 7a is a sectional view taken along line C--C in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 7b is a bottom view of the flashlight means of FIGURE 7.

In FIGURE 1, there is a fragmentary illustration of a motor vehicle steering post generally indicated by numeral 10 enlarged relative to a steering wheel 19 w adapted to be handled by a motor vehicleoperator. To one side of the steering wheel 10 w, there is a mounting receptacle means or plug means generally indicated by numeral 12 adapted to be complementary to a rechargeable flashlight assembly or flashlight means generally indioated by numeral 14. The flashlight means 14 includes a housing 14h extending longitudinally and closed at one end He where there is a spring means 14s adapted to bias durable and rechargeable miniature battery means 16 relative to a movable contact pin 14p biased by a coil spring to one side so as to engage a central contact 130 of a lamp bulb means generally indicated by numeral 18. The pin 14p is reciprocally movable relative to an insulating sleeve 14i that is anchored by flange portion 14 relative to an annular metal extension 14m carried by a combination lens 14L and reflector 141' of a cover portion or cap body 14b. The cap body or cover 14b is provided with bayonet-type or threaded fastening means 14t complementary to similar fastening means along an outer peripheral surface of an end aperture 14a in the housing 14h which is hollow.

The flashlight means :14 also includes a longitudinally slidable cam actuator or on-elf button genenally indicated by numeral 19. The actuator or button includes a laterally, outwardly projecting finger portion 19] integral with an arcuate body portion 1% that has an integral in wardly projecting lug or cam portion 19c. This cam portion 19c is movable back and forth relative to an taperture 19a in the housing 14h in a location adjacent to a curved end 192 of a spring portion or resilient contact means 19s integral atone end with the spring means 14s that engages the durable battery means 16 as a ground connection. When the button or actuator 19 is in the off position, illustrated in the view of FIGURE 1, the cam portion is in generally rtelescoped relation to an off-set bent portion 19b of the resilient strip extension 19s. A rivet 19: holds the strip extension 19s at the p Ce of resilient prongs 20p of one of the terminal means.

. spring means as well as a cover plate 19p for a portion of the opening 1% in assembled relationship to one side of the housing 14h. Movement of the actuator or button Movement to the left by the actuator 1? also effects displacement of the resilient end 19c into engagement with an outer periphery of the metal sleeve 14m that is electrically in contact with a flange portion 18 of light bulb 18 having a metal housing 1% joined with filament wiring (not shown) inside the lamp bulb 18 that is also in electrical series relation to the central contact 13c which is separated from the metal housing 1811 by an insulating portion 1181'. A locking key portion or kink 19k is provided in between the bent portion 19b and resilient end 19e such that the cam portion 19c can be fixed in on position as desired by an operator when the light bulb 18 is to be energized continuously for an extended period of time.

The durable battery means 16 have central contact por- .tions 16c axially in alignment with each other and one of these contact means engages the pin 14p at a location to one side of a metal ring or eyelet 16:: held to the pin 14p by crimping of an outer edge of the pin or by soldering as well as other suitable electrical connection means.

'Connected to the ring or eyelet 16c there is an insulated .numeral 20 and visible in FIGURE 2. The wire 16w is joined to terminal means 20 adjacent to one of a pair It is to be understood that the particular fastening of the wire to the one terminal means does not form part of the present invention. The pair of terminal means 2% are separated from each other by an intermediate wall portion 14w integral with the housing 1411 and having a pair of laterally, inwardly extending flanges or shields 14x on opposite sides of the strip extension 19s held by rivet 19r relative to the wall portion 14w and plate 19p. The wall portion 14w together with the pair of terminal means 20 and a lateral projection 142 of the housing 1411 form part of connector means integral with the flashlight means adapted to be mounted and held in position relative to mating plug means or receptacle means 12 visible as carried on a steering post surface outlined in FIGURES 1 and 2. The receptacle means 12 includes an insulating body 12b provided with a pair of substantially parallel flange portions 12; that form a longitudinally open socket visible in the same views. The insulating body 12b also includes a pair of arcuate legs or extensions 12e adapted at least in part to conform to contour of the steering post and held thereto by a pair of spring clips 13a and 13b having hooked ends 13:: each engageable with shoulder means 12s provided integrally with the receptacle insulating body 12b. A nut 13n can be threaded into a tapped portion 131 adjacent to an end of the strap 13a remote from the flashlight means on an opposite side of the steering post 10 and the nut together with the straps .form a fastening means generally indicated by numeral 13 whereby a hooked end 13h of strap 13b is locked into a slot 13s in between the tapped portion Br and end 13e of strap 13a. Provision of the fastening means 13 makes the combination receptacle mounting and rechargeable flashlight assembly mountable in any suitable location longitudinally on one side of the steering post 10.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a schematic electrical circuit connection diagram and bottom view of receptacle means 12. Attached to the receptacle means 12, there are two male prongs 12p adapted to engage the pair of terminal means separately as illustrated in FIGURE 2. One of the terminal means 20 includes a lateral extension 2012 elecy trically in engagement with a metal washer 19w that contacts an intermediate portion of rivet 191' also electrically in contact with extension strip 19s of metal forming the present invention. The parts of the flashlight means as with the permanent of the flashlight means having electrical 'ed relative to vehicle body sary to permit repair or inspection of vehicle parts. Thus steering post ground connection relative to battery means 16. Each of the prongs 12p has an eyelet or contact means in electrical engagement therewith adjacent to a transverse wall portion 12t of the receptacle means 12. One of the eyelets 120 is connected by a wire 21 to an impedance means generally indicated by numeral 22 such as a resistor having another wire 23 joined to another eyelet 24 relative to which a conductor 25 is attached from one side of a motor vehicle source generally indicated by numeral 26. This source 26 can be a 12 volt battery for example included as part of an electrical system on a 7 motor vehicle. The electrical system of the motor vehicle can include a direct current as well as an alternating current rectified generating means (not shown) which form no part of the present invention. Also, suitable regulating means for control of the electrical system can be provided in conjunction with the vehicle source 26 though such regulating means is not shown because it forms no part of the present invention. The vehicle source 26 is joined by an insulated conductor 27 directly to another eyelet 12c. The purpose of the impedance such as resistor 22 in series with a line such as 25 from a vehicle source to the prongs 12p, relative to which the flashlight means is mountable for purposes of recharging battery means 16, is to limit charging current relative to the battery means 16 and to avoid over-charging thereof. It is noted that during charging of the flashlight means 14, the wire or conductor 16w establishes a circuit directly relative to one of the central contacts and there is no possibility for energization of the lamp bulb 18 because the contact end 19e of the resilient strip 1% is spaced away from the metal sleeve 14m due to positioning of the actuator or button 19in an off position.

. A modification of the flashlight means 14 of FIGURE 1 is illustrated in a fragmentary section view of FIGURE 1a. The housing 14h in FIGURE la includes a socket portion 28 integral therewith and forming a cavity 280 adapted to receive a substantially U-shaped contact plate 29 having a pair of substantially parallel flange portions 29 projecting laterally outwardly on opposite sides of a permanent magnet means generally indicated by numeral 30 and visible in FIGURE 1a. The magnet means 30 is held in position between an insulating cover 301 and an insulating shim 39s. Rivets 3hr hold the cover 301 as well as the shim and contact plate 29 for retention of magnet means 30 relative to a partition or juncture 14j of the housing 14]: adjacent to socket 28 as visible in FIG- URES la and 2a. The contact plate 29 in conjunction magnet means 30 permits mounting connectors there on for recharging of battery means inside the flashlight in con unction with a source on a motor vehicle to be mountany surface of a metallic panel such as a door or fender where illumination is necesthe rechargeable flashlight assembly in accordance with the present invention can be used in combination with a mounting receptacle means 12 and also has permanent magnet means 30 therewith to allow universal mounting relative to magnetic mounting surfaces.

FIGURE 7 is a top view of a flashlight housing 14h of I flashlight means 14 provided with the permanent magnet means 30. FIGURE 7a is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIGURE 7. FIGURE 71) is a bottom view of flashlight means in accordance with FIG- URES 1 and 7 and further illustrating the connector means for recharging purposes described in FIGURE 2. Views of FIGURES 7, 7a and 7b have been provided for purposes of clarity and to facilitate understanding of components of the flashlight means in the assembly of the shown in the bottom view of FIGURE 71) are visible due to removal of the plate 19;] not shown in the bottom view of FIGURE 7b for purposes of clarity.

FIGURE 4 is a partially-sectioned plan view of an other rechargeable flashlight assembly generally indicated by numeral 34 in accordance with the present invention. This assembly includes a housing 34h of complementary half portions that dove-tail together and are held in place by suitable fastening means such as screws, rivets and the like indicated by numeral 35 in FIGURE 5. Preferably, the housing 34h is made of insulating material such as Bakelite and the like and has provided therein a chamber portion 34c to receive rechargeable durable battery means generally indicated by numeral 36 and having central contact portions 360 best seen in FIGURE 5. A lens 34L of material such as glass, clear plastic and the like has an outer periphery fitted in locking engagement behind flange means 34f surrounding a laterally extending aperture 341: in which reflector means 34r are also positioned. A metal sleeve member, 34m, attached to an inner periphery of the reflector 34r provides a mounting for lamp bulb means 38 having opposite internal wires (not shown) electrically in engagement with a metal housing 38h including outwardly extending flange 38 in engagement with the metal sleeve 34m as well as a central contact 38c that establishes electrical engagement relative to a C-shaped end 39c of first terminal means generally indicated by numeral 39. The C-shaped end 390 of terminal means 39 is integral with an extended generally U-shaped body portion 39 having a female terminal portion 39 adjacent to an opposite end thereof and adapted to be engageable by an L-shaped male blade means 39m visible in FIGURES 6, 6a and 6b. Actually a pair of male terminal means 39m is preferably provided as mounted relative to connector or receptacle means generally indicated by numeral 40 and described in further detail below.

The flashing means 34 also includes a second terminal means generally indicated by numeral 41 having an extended body portion 4le and a female terminal means integral therewith at one end as indicated by numeral 41 Integral with the extended body portion 41e at an opposite end is an outwardly extending bent portion 41b as well as a cam portion 41k engageable with a cam portion 420 of an actuator or button means generally indicated by numeral 42. Integral with the extended body portion 41c at a location remote from the female terminal means 41 there is an inwardly extending contact end 410 adapted to engage an outer peripheral surface of metal sleeve 34m Whenever the actuator or button means 42 is moved to the left as viewed in FIGURE 4. In effect, the button means or actuator 42 is reciprocably slidable in an arcuate path defined by a pair of projections 34p integral with the housing 3411 and dove-tailing in between opposite pairs of projections 42p also integral with the actuator 42 as best seen in FIGURE 4. Thus the lamp bulb means 38 is energized Whenever the actuator 42 is moved upwardly and toward the left in the direction near reflector means 34r. A lateral tab portion 3% integral with the extended U-shaped body portion 3% of terminal means 39 establishes electrical engagement relative to at least one durable battery means 36 as visible in FIGURES 4 and 5. Battery means 36 can be installed in either of opposite directions and as shown in FIGURE 5, the central contact 36c of one of the battery means engages the tab 391 and a casing of another portion of battery means is en gaged by a lateral tab 41t integral with the extended body portion 41c of the strip or terminal means 41. Female terminal means 39 and 41 are locked in position relative to a shoulder such as 34s integral with the housing 34h as illustrated in FIGURE 6.

The flashlight means 34 includes permanent magnet mounting means generally indicated by numeral 50 and visible in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6. The permanent magnet mounting means include a U-shaped contact plate 52 having a pair of substantially parallel flange portions 52 A piece of insulation "53 separates a base portion of the contact plate 52 where the flanges 52 are joined such that permanent magnet means 50 are spaced a predetermined distance away from the base portion of the contact plate 52. An insulating cover 501' visible in FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 is snap fitted into engagement with a bottom flange 34z of the housing 3412 of flashlight means 34. The flange portions 527 of the contact plate 52 are adapted to fit against a mounting surface of a metal member such as a vehicle panel or fender. The lateral disposition of the lens 34L is such that mounting of the flashlight means 34 relative to a fender for example will result in having illumination directed toward a trouble spot such as a flat tire and the like.

In accordance with the present invention, the flashlight means 34 is particularly adapted for use in combination with a vehicle storage compartment. such as in a luggage space as well as in a dash board glove compartment and the like relative to which the receptacle means 40 is provided. In FIGURE 6 there is illustrated a fragment of a vehicle storage compartment 42 such as a dash board glove compartment formed by Walls 42w extending laterally relative to a body member such as a dash board 44. Pivotally mounted relative to the dash board 44, there is a movable panel or arcuate cover or closure member 46 adapted to fit relative to an opening or aperture 42a relative to one side of the storage compartment 42.

The receptacle means 40 includes a U-shaped, flange portion 40=u= adapted to form a mounting cavity inside the storage compartment 42 relative to the flashlight means including the permanent magnet mounting portion 50 as well as the female terminal means 39 and 41 adapted to engage male contact blades 39m. Suitable fastening means 40 serve to hold the receptacle means 40' in position relative to a wall portion 42w as illustrated in FIG- URE 6b. The U-shaped flange portion 40w as well as a base or body portion 40b of the receptacle means 40 form a laterally open cavity 400 relative to which the flashlight means is fitted inside a dashboard glove compartment, luggage space and the like. Mating male and female terminal and connector means serve both for holding the flashlight means 34 in position relative to the storage compartment 42 and also for establishing electrical engagement relative to a common ground connection and a vehicle source such as 26 referred to in the description of FIGURE 3. Accordingly, conductors 2:5 and 27 are shown in FIGURE 60 also together with an impedance means such as a resistor 22 mounted relative to receptacle means 40 and connected by wires 21 and 23 relative to an eyelet such as 24 and the like secured by fastening means like a rivet relative to male terminal means 39m. The terminal-type connector means formed collectively by the male terminals and female terminal portions of the flashlight means provide electrical connection relative to a vehicle source such as 26 for recharging of the durable battery means 36 including material such as nickel-cadmium and the like therein. Recharging of battery means is accomplished as previously described whereby the impedance or resistor 22 is provided for limiting charging current. Location of the flashlight means 34 in a storage compartment provides convenient access thereto when necessary. Also, location of the flashlight means inside the storage compartment conceals and protects the flashlight means against loss as well as theft and simultaneously assures recharging thereof due to connector mounting in the assembly of the present invention. The flashlight means 34 inside a storage compartment as supported by the receptacle means 40 permits ready access thereto without danger of bumping by knees of an operator as can occur when a flashlight means is mounted relative to a steering wheel post. The plug-in feature is particularly advantageous because recharging of durable battery means can occur at times when a lamp bulb is not energized though, at least in part, terminal means 39 and 41 are shared to serve the purpose of establishing a recharging circuit as well as serving a purpose of establishing normal flashlight circuitry for energization of lamp bulb means 38. It is also to be noted that the U-shaped flange portion 40a of the receptacle means 40 extends laterally to one side of the base or body portion 40b on which the male terminal means 39m are mounted.

, The U -shaped flange portion 40 is greater in length than in disclosed constitute preferred forms, it is to be under- .stood that other forms might be adopted.

What is claimed is as follows:

In a portable rechargeable flashlight assembly specifically :for use'in combination with a mobile vehicle and including a unitary housing portion of insulating material having -a pair of female terminal connectors of conducting material mounted therein to be accessible during vehicle mounting thereof and possible power supply thereto, the improvement which comprises a vehicle-mounted socket-forming receptacle portion of insulating material having a pair of male terminal means also of conducting material projecting therefrom and carrying an impedance mounted within the protective covering of said receptacle portion of insulating material and joined directly electrically in series with the power supply to one of said male terminal means, and an'integral laterally projecting wall having a pair of opposite substantially parallel walls between which said male terminal means are located, said parallel walls engaging and mounting said flashlight assembly and said male terminal means engaging said female terminal connectors, said parallel Walls having a length greater than that of said male terminal means and shielding said terminals against bending and deformation and short-circuiting when said terminals are engaged.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,599,278 Kass Sept. 7, 1926 1,617,892 Belfield Feb. 15, 1927 1,932,143 Piercy Oct. 24, 1933 2,293,284 Emanual Aug. 18, 1942 2,628,339v Werner Feb. =10, 1953 2,673,925 Braun Mar. 10, 1954 2,817,753 Corin et a1. Dec. 24, 1957 2,876,410 Fey Mar. 3, 1959 2,886,664 Graubner May 12, 1959 j FOREIGN PATENTS 732,431 Germany Jan. 22, 1941 56,978 Netherlands Apr. 2, 1942 1,059,563 Germany June 18, 1959 

